Montclair is one of New Jersey’s premier communities and invites people with talent from all over the world to not just call it home, but truly feel at home. Artist Elly Otharsson was drawn to the architecture and aesthetic of Montclair and her designs reflect that. Read on to learn about Elly, her story, and how Montclair has inspired her passion to create maps and guides of local spots in Northern New Jersey + beyond.
Photo Credit: Elly Otharsson
From Iceland to Montclair
Travel and adventure are clearly in illustrator Elly Otharsson’s blood. Her father was born in Iceland and her mother was born in Honduras. Her mother immigrated to Connecticut where she met her father and the couple moved to Iceland, where Elly was born. When Elly was young, she moved to Fairfield, Connecticut where she grew up closely alongside her two sisters exploring the area’s green spaces and getting lost in the beauty of urban communities. When it came time for higher education, Elly found herself in Southern Pennsylvania at Gettysburg College where she earned a B.A. in Political Science and Government. For about a decade after college, Elly had a career in media, publishing, and tech with The Economist, Condé Nast, Wochit, and most recently Idomoo.
Photo Credit: Elly Otharsson
With a passion for exploration, Elly has wandered various American cities like Raleigh, Denver, Cincinnati, and Palm Springs and explored their communities, taking time to eat in their restaurants, shop from local vendors, and interact with the locals. After almost a decade of working, Elly felt burnt out and dissatisfied at her full-time job. In 2020 she received an iPad Pro for her birthday and dove into design using the Procreate app. By 2022, she decided to leave the tech industry and pursue her passion for design. Drawn to Montclair’s unique character and bustling neighborhoods, Elly settled in Northern New Jersey.
Photo Credit: Elly Otharsson
Read More: 5 Gen Z-Owned Businesses to Support in Montclair + Essex County
Upper Montclair and Church Street are probably the most popular neighborhoods in Montclair, but for Elly, these spots come in second to Walnut Street. The area holds a bit of magic for Elly and was the first Montclairian neighborhood she truly explored. There was something just idyllic about it. She often went on evening walks with her husband and their dog Bear taking in the sites.
In time, she met with Danielle Zinn, owner of Curated Home + Living, and learned about business community programs. Here is where the magic was born: Elly created a hand-drawn map of the Walnut Street area featuring businesses with custom icons. Her next project, a map for Upper Montclair, came a year later. Excited to work on local projects, Elly has collaborated with Experience Montclair in an effort to promote Montclair as a travel destination.
Products + Services
Photo Credit: Elly Otharsson
Elly designs town postcards, stickers, walk + wander maps, museum + landmark guides, buttons, pins, stationery items, and more. Her Montclair portfolio features designs of the Eagle Rock Cafe, Anderson Park, The Corner, Montclair Orthodontics, Van Hook Cheese + Grocery, Ray’s Luncheonette, Egan + Sons, The George, Montclair Brewery, and many more locations. Other local stops Elly has designed include the Newark fire station and East Orange locations like East Orange City Hall and Brick Church. Her work is not just confined to North Jersey. Her portfolio also features Hudson, New York; Bethany Beach, Delaware; and London, England.
Photo Credit: Elly Otharsson
See More: This Hoboken Shoemaker Allows People to Design Their Own Shoes
Elly’s website currently has her “New York City in Pink” prints available and she is planning to add more designs to sell online. Salt Air(e) Collective located at 7 South Fullerton Avenue sells her prints. Elly loves selling goods in person and hopes to have a brick-and-mortar stationery store of her own one day. You may have missed her at the Walnut Street Fair on September 29th, but don’t fret, Elly will also be participating in NJ Food Fest at the Meadowlands Expo Center on October 26th, as well as the Montclair Flea at Lackawanna Station on November 30th, December 1st, 14th, and 15th.
Northern New Jersey Meditation Classes for a Mindful New Year
The arrival of a new year can be beautiful and tranquil — but it can also lead to anxiety, stress, and tension as the winter months roll on. While the end of the holiday season brings less chaos, it also brings cold days, a longing for warmer weather, and the itch for vacation — which can lead to more stressful work weeks. If you are having trouble staying focused and relaxing, meditation can help you find and maintain calm even in the busiest and most stressful times. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some great meditation classes in Northern New Jersey to help foster mindfulness as the weather changes. Read on to learn where to find meditation classes in Northern New Jersey.
Asana Soul Practice | 411 Jefferson Street, Hoboken + 124 1st Street, Jersey City
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With locations in Hoboken and Jersey City, Asana Soul Practice has a variety of yoga and meditation classes. Its classes range from beginner to advanced levels and can either be vinyasa, yin, or restorative yoga. For its meditation classes, it is 30 minutes, candlelit, and held every week. Asana Soul Practice also has monthly sound bath classes.
Read More: Where to Find Prenatal Yoga Classes in the Montclair Area
Body + Brain Yoga Tai Chi | Multiple Locations
Body + Brain Yoga Tai Chi aims to teach fitness holistically with classes ranging from yoga, tai chi, meditation, and breath-work. Though this may be a chain, it has both online and in-studio classes throughout its multiple North Jersey locations. Both the beginner and advanced virtual meditation classes can help you activate your "chi" and feel in tune with the world.
Dharmachakra Buddhist Center | 150 Main Street 2nd Floor, Millburn
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The center has classes, retreats, and special events for learning about Buddhism or deepening your spiritual practice. The classes available can be viewed here. Examples of classes to take part in are how to improve relationships or make changes within yourself.
Harmony Meditation | 241 North Avenue West, Westfield
At Harmony Meditation, guests will find traditional meditation practices that are made accessible to modern-day practitioners. Rooted in advanced Zen Meditation and Kichun methods, the sessions facilitate healing and guide you along your path to enlightenment. Classes are provided at beginner and advanced levels and include tai chi, often described as ‘meditation in motion.’
Indigo Yoga | 351 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
Indigo Yoga in Caldwell has all kinds of classes for locals to find inner peace. Some of the highlights include Express Vinyasa Flow, Restorative Stretch, and Chair Yoga. See the full schedule of classes here.
I’m So Yoga | 1186 Raymond Boulevard 4th Floor, Newark
Beginner and advanced yoga students can participate in I’m So Yoga’s classes. It is a vinyasa flow-based studio with instructors specialized in different backgrounds. Online and in-person classes are available. Options include Restorative Yoga with Sound Bowls, Ying to Yang Yoga, and Core, Balance, and Connection Yoga. This spot also has meditation classes that include throat chakra singing + chanting.
Iris Yoga | 383 Broad Street, Bloomfield
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With a mission to be an outlet for members to grow and heal, this wellness studio is dedicated to helping connect the community through in-person and online classes. All levels are welcomed, with a choice of participating in a beginner's class for those new to yoga.
JaiPure Yoga | 575 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
The 75-minute Mindful Flow class at JaiPure Yoga begins with Vinyasa flow to strengthen the body and ends on a note of harmony and inner peace. The class is open to all levels but is especially suited for beginners looking for something new to help cultivate personal mindfulness. Afterward, you can take your mind and body rejuvenation to the next level in the salt room.
Lyndhurst Meditation | 306 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst
With roots dating back to 2014, this center has group classes and individual, personalized sessions to guide your spiritual journey. Lyndhurst Meditation also has free in-person and online meditation consults.
Montclair Kundalini Yoga | 127 Valley Road, Montclair
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In addition to daily in-person and online yoga classes, this center has free online meditation classes on Mondays at 7:30PM. It’s the perfect way to recenter after a busy start to the work week. Keep an eye on the events calendar for additional workshops and events that can help you connect with your spiritual side.
Santokh Yoga + Wellness | 18 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
Located on Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair, there are a variety of yoga classes provided at this spot. There are hot yoga, vinyasa flow, slow flow + meditation, and hot vinyasa flow choices. Also, there are additional workshops and courses designed for those looking for an extended, immersive experience.
Sol Spirit | 356 Bloomfield Avenue 2nd Floor Suite 6, Montclair, + 523 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City
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Sol Spirit has meditation and yoga classes at both its Montclair + Jersey City locations, like Vinyasa Sol Flow, Yin + Mini Sound Bath, Gentle Sol Flow, Yoga for Anxiety, Energy Sol Flow, Yin Yang, Sound Bath Meditation, and much more. See the schedule for these classes here.
Transcendental Meditation (TM) Summit | 12 Bank Street Suite 104, Summit
Transcendental Meditation has been embraced by notables from the Beatles to Oprah Winfrey for its ability to improve concentration and increase creativity. The Summit location is one of five in New Jersey — the others are in Ramsey, Mt. Laurel Township, Princeton, and Red Bank. In-person and hybrid courses are available.
Urban Souls Yoga Studio | 100 Hudson Street, 4th Floor, Hoboken
This Hoboken studio has different yoga classes scheduled on different days and times for everyone’s flexibility. Classes are listed on its website here. Occasionally, a free community yoga class is held. Urban Souls also collaborates with Local Barre, where together they bring signature barre and fitness classes, access to an infrared sauna, and other amenities.
Yoga Mechanics | 107 Forest Street, Montclair
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The in-person and virtual meditation sessions at Yoga Mechanics are a great way to recharge and reflect on the new week ahead. Class options include Yoga for Mobility, Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga, basic-level classes, and more. Yoga Mechanics has a schedule of all its classes and registration is required in advance. See the schedule here.
See More: 18 Unique Workout Classes to Try in Hoboken + Jersey City
YogaRenew | 12 Hudson Place 2nd Floor, Hoboken
Located in the heart of Hoboken, YogaRenew has vinyasa yoga, yin yoga, and sound bath sessions. Classes are updated regularly through its website with different time sessions and instructors. If looking to take your love for yoga to the next level, YogaRenew has an online yoga teacher training program available to become a certified instructor.
